Erie man jailed on charges in traffic stop

An Erie man was jailed on firearms and other charges after police said he tried to run from a traffic stop on East 12th Street this morning.

Jernell J. Vernon, 36, was arraigned by Erie 5th Ward District Judge Joseph Lefaiver on charges of illegally possessing a firearm, carrying a firearm without a license, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, driving under the influence, possession of a controlled substance and making an illegal turn.

Police accuse Vernon of having a .45 caliber gun that officers said they found after pulling over a van that Vernon was driving early this morning. The van had turned onto East 12th Street from State Street without yielding to two approaching ambulances that had their lights and sirens on, police said today.

Vernon also tried to run from officers after he pulled the van over, police said.